{"id":371656,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:25","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-03-27T10:27:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T15:27:29","slug":"arkansas-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/arkansas-law\/arkansas-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Arkansas Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arkansas Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

All states have criminal statutes of limitations<\/a> that limit the time prosecutors can spend on a criminal case against a suspect. <\/p>\r\n

The clock typically begins running the day after a crime happens. But the time limit is "tolled<\/a>" or stopped when suspects are evasive (fugitives, etc.). Generally, the state may not charge someone with a crime if it fails to do so within the applicable statute of limitations.<\/p>\r\n

Statutes of limitations<\/a> often differ by the severity of the crime. In Arkansas, misdemeanors generally carry a one-year statute of limitations. Felonies are more varied, with no time limit for many serious crimes. There is a six-year period of time to file for Class Y and A felonies and a three-year limit for Class B, C, D, and unclassified felonies.<\/p>\r\n

Statutes of limitations help preserve the integrity of evidence<\/a> (including witness testimony) and maintain efficiency in the criminal justice system. In doing so, the laws promote fair trials and judicial efficiency.<\/p>\r\n

Time Limits for Criminal Charges in Arkansas<\/h2>\r\n

The table below lists Arkansas’ criminal statute of limitations laws. For more specific information, click the links in the table or the Related Resources section below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code sections<\/th>\r\n

Arkansas Code \u00a7 5-1-109<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Felonies<\/th>\r\n

The following felonies can be tried at any time:<\/p>\r\n

Misdemeanors<\/th>\r\n

One year (Ark. Code \u00a7 5-1-109(b)(3)(A)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Crimes against children<\/th>\r\n

The following offenses don’t have a statute of limitations if the victim was a minor at the time of the offense, the victim did not report it to a law enforcement agency or a prosecuting attorney, and the victim is younger than 28 years of age:<\/p>\r\n

Acts during which statute does not run<\/th>\r\n

The statute of limitations does not run when:<\/p>\r\n

Other<\/th>\r\n

Even if the statute of limitations for a crime has expired, the prosecution can still bring a case when DNA testing implicates someone identified through a search of a State DNA Data Base or National DNA Index System. (Ark. Code \u00a7\u00a7 5-1-109(i)<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n

A person commits an offense when either of the following happens:<\/p>\r\n